Pole guide

ABSTRACT

A pole guide is used on a beam assembly having a fixed beam, an extension, and a pullout extension telescopically mounted with respect to one another. The pole guide is mounted on the extension adjacent its upper end, and includes tongs adapted to clamp and hold a pole. The pullout extension includes on its upper end a sheave which is movable from a retracted position wherein it is adjacent the pole guide to an extended position wherein it is spaced from the pole guide.

Unite States Patent 3,227,295 1/1966 Hamilton et al. 214/147 AS X3,305,220 2/1967 Nevulis 212/55 X FOREIGN PATENTS 190,522 7/1964 Sweden214/141 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E.Werner Attorney-John D. Pope, Ill

ABSTRACT: A pole guide is used on a beam assembly having a fixed beam,an extension, and a pullout extension telescopically mounted withrespect to one another. The pole guide is mounted on the extensionadjacent its upper end, and includes tongs adapted to clamp and hold apole.. The pullout extension includes on its upper end a sheave which ismovable from a retracted position wherein it is adjacent the pole guideto an extended position wherein it is spaced from the pole guide.

PATENTEU UECZ! I971 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR ROY B LOGH u m5 ATTORNEYPATENTED DECZI an SHEET 2 [W 4 N QE ATTORNEY PATENTED 0582! I97! SHEET 3OF 4 INVENTOR ATTOR NEY PATENTEB nc21 an 31628615 SHEET a 0F 4 INVENTORROY LOGH BY E ATTORNEY POLE corms This invention relates to derricks andmore specifically to a pole guide mounted on a derrick for steadyingpoles while they are being set in the ground.

Utility companies often use mobile derricks while erecting and workingon telephone and electric lines. One type of derrick used for thispurpose includes a plurality of beams telescopically mounted withrespect to one another. This telescopic beam assembly includes a bottommember, a middle member, and an upper member which are sometimesreferred to as the fixed beam, the extension, and the pullout extension,respectively. Mounted on the beam assembly for use therewith are anauger for digging holes in the ground, a cable and sheave for liftingmiscellaneous objects, and a pole guide for steadying poles while theyare being set in the ground.

In derricks presently used, the sheave and the pole guide are mounted onthe extreme upper end of the extension pullout. The pole guide islocated adjacent the sheave so that it will be in the proper positionfor steadying the pole during the polesetting operation. The sheave andcable support the weight of the pole, and the pole guide looselyembraces and steadies the pole while it is being set. The fact that thepole guide is mounted on the extension pullout creates difficultiesduring the performance of other operations however. An example of suchan operation is the hoisting of a transformer to the top of a pole.Because transformers are usually bulky, it is desirable to move thesheave away from the pole guide so that the pole guide will notinterfere with the hoisting operation. In present derricks the sheavecannot be moved away from the pole guide.

The sheave is often used in the vicinity of live conductors, and becauseof this the pullout extension is sometimes constructed of an insulativematerial, thereby insulating the sheave from the lower part of the beamassembly. The pole guide is connected to hydraulic lines leading fromthe base of the beam assembly, and these lines create a line ofelectrical conduction between the pole guide and the ground. Because itis adjacent the sheave and is not well insulated from the ground, thepole guide creates a safety hazard when the sheave is used in thevicinity of live conductors.

Another disadvantage of having the pole guide on the upper end of thepullout extension is that hydraulic conduits must be provided fordelivering hydraulic fluid to the pole guide whenever the pulloutextension moves. These conduits make the derrick more expensive tomanufacture and add to its weight.

The pole guide of this invention is mounted on the upper end of theextension, and the sheave is mounted on the upper end of the pulloutextension. When the pullout extension is retracted, the sheave isadjacent the pole guide. In this position the sheave and the pole guidecan cooperate for setting poles. The sheave and cable lift and hold thepole, and the pole guide loosely embraces and steadies it. Foroperations which require only the use of the sheave, however, thepullout extension with the sheave thereon may be extended independentlyof the pole guide so that the sheave is spaced from the pole guide.

Hydraulic conduits lead from the base of the beam assembly to the poleguide, and they include means which are adapted to extend in unison withthe middle beam. However, since the pole guide does not extend with thepullout extension, the hydraulic conduits need not be as long or asheavy as in previous devices.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted theprovision of a pole guide mounted on a derrick which supports a sheave,the sheave being movable from a position adjacent the pole guide to aposition spaced from the pole guide; the provision of a pole guide whichcan swing around the outer arcuate surface of the sheave when the sheaveis in its retracted position; the provision of a pole guide which pivotsabout an axis which is approximately coincident with the center ofcurvature of the sheave; the provision of a pole guide which is mountedon a beam different from the beam carrying the sheave; the provision ofa pole guide which is mounted on the extension of the beam assembly,thereby eliminating need for delivering hydraulic fluid to the upper endof the pullout extension; the provision ofa pole guide having hydraulicconduits which extend in unison with the extension of the beam assembly;the provision of a pole guide having hydraulic conduits which can beshorter and lighter in weight than in previous devices; and theprovision of a pole guide which is economical to manufacture and durablein use. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a beam assembly having the pole guidemounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the beam assemblyillustrated in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the beam assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the pole guide of thisinvention; I

FIG. 5 is an isometric view, partially cut away, of the means forextending the hydraulic lines during extension of the pole guide; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the pole guide tosteady a pole.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Numeral l0 designates a derrick including a mast 12, a turret I4, and abeam assembly 16. Beam assembly ll6 includes a lower or fixed beam 18which is pivotally mounted to turret I4 about a hinge 20. A hydrauliccylinder 22 is pivotally mounted at its opposite ends to turret l4 andlower beam Iii so that extension and retraction of cylinder 22 causeslower beam 18 to swing about its horizontal axis at hinge 20. Mounted onthe opposite lateral sides of the extreme upper end of lower beam I8 aretwo triangular side plates 24. Extending between sideplates 24 are tworoller bearings 26 (FIG. 4) which roll about a horizontal axis.Extending outwardly from the outer side of one of the sideplates 24 is alip 28 (FIG. 3).

Lower beam 18 is hollow and telescopically receives a middle beam orextension 30 which rolls on roller bearings 26 as it slides in and outof lower beam H8. The upper end of middle beam 30 is provided with aflange 32. Mounted on opposite sides of the extreme upper end of middlebeam 30 are a pair of ear plates 34 which extend beyond the extremeupper end of middle beam 30 and terminate at triangular points 36. Apair of outwardly extending hinge pins 38 are provided on the outwardlypresented surfaces of points 36.

An upper beam or pullout extension 40 is telescopically mounted forslidable extension and retraction within middle beam 30. A rectangularflange 42 is mounted on the extreme upper end of upper beam 40 and isadapted to engage the extreme upper end of middle beam 30 when upperbeam 40 is in its retracted position. A sheave 44 is mounted to flange42 at the extreme upper end of upper beam 40. Sheave 44 includes twoparallel plates 46 which embrace a pulley (not shown) for rotation aboutan axle 48. Each plate 46 has a substantially circular edge 47 facingaxially outwardly from the end of upper beam 40. Sheave 44 is rigidlysecured to upper beam 40 by a gusset 50 and by a pair of side supports52 mounted on opposite sides of plates 46. When upper beam 40 is in itsretracted position, sheave 44 is embraced on its opposite sides by earplates 34 of middle beam 30. In this position, hinge pins 38 coincideapproximately with the center of curvature of circular edges 47. Hingepins 34 and axle 48 also lie on approximately the same line when upperbeam 40 is in its retracted position.

An auger 54 includes a hydraulic or pneumatically controlled drive motor56 which is pivotally connected to a transfer mechanism 58 slidablymounted upon middle beam 30. Transfer mechanism 58 includes a circularcollar guide 60 which surrounds and is slidably mounted on middle beam30. Collar guide 60 includes inward protrusions 62 (FIG. 4) whichembrace the lateral sides of middle beam 30 so as to prevent rotationalmovement of collar guide 60. A circular collar 64 is slidably mountedaround the outside of collar guide 60 and is adapted to rotate freelythereon. A stem 66 extends radially outwardly from collar 64. Auger 54is hinged to the extreme end of stem 66 by means of a pin 68. Onopposite sides of the base of stem 66 are a pair of U-shaped fingers 70.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, auger 54 is stored and carried alongsidebeam assembly 16 with collar 64 positioned so that stem 66 protrudeshorizontally outwardly from one of the lateral sides of beam assembly16. In this position the righthand finger 70 (FIG. 3) hooks over lip 28on sideplate 24 of lower beam 18, thereby preventing collar guide 60from sliding axially away from the upper end of lower beam 18. Toprepare the auger for operation, collar 64 is rotated 90 so that stem 66protrudes downwardly from beam assembly 16. If this rotation is donewhen middle beam 30 is in its retracted position, the right-hand finger70 (FIG. 1) will hook over flange 32 at the extreme upper end of middlebeam 30. When middle beam 30 is extended as shown in FIG. 1, it carriestransfer mechanism 58 and auger 54 with it. Thus transfer mechanism 58provides means for connecting auger 54 alternatively to lower beam 18 ormiddle beam 30. Also rigidly connected to collar guide 60 and extendingupwardly therefrom is a cable roller 72. A cable 74 is wound around areel 76 at the base of beam assembly 16 and extends upwardly over cableroller 72 and sheave 44. Cable roller 72 supports cable 74 above beamassembly 16 to prevent its entanglement with any of the moving partsthereof.

A pole guide bracket-78 is mounted at the extreme upper end of middlebeam 30 and includes two legs 80 and a top member 82 (FIG. 4). Theextreme lower ends of legs 80 are hinged to pins 38 of ear plates 34 sothat bracket 78 will swing about a horizontal axis. A pole guide 84 ismounted on top member 82 and includes a baseplate 86 rigidly securedthereto. A pair of tongs 88 include cogwheels 90 integrally formed atone of their ends. Cogwheels 90 are pivotally mounted to baseplate 86 sothat tongs 88 swing towards one another in pincerlike fashion. Tongs 88are slightly arcuate in shape and their tips cross when they are swungtowards one another. Slidably mounted on baseplate 86 is a cog bar 92which extends between cogwheels 90 and which includes cogs on itslateral edges engaging the cogs of cogwheels 90. Longitudinal movementof cog bar 92 causes cogwheels 90 to rotate in opposite directions sothat tongs 88 will open and close. Rigidly mounted to baseplate 86 is ahydraulic cylinder 94 which is secured to cog bar 92 so that itsextension and retraction will cause longitudinal movement of cog bar 92.Thus cylinder 94 controls the opening and closing of tongs 88. Mountedto baseplate 86 between tongs 88 is a pole brace 98 which includes aroller 100. Roller 100 is adapted to bear against the side of a polewhen the pole is positioned between tongs 88.

When upper beam 40 is retracted with respect to middle beam 30 (FIG. 1)sheave 44 is embraced by ear plates 34 of middle beam 30. Hinge pins 38coincide approximately with the center of curvature of edges 47 ofplates 46. Because of this arrangement pole guide 84 swings in acircular path which is substantially concentric to the curvature ofedges 47. The distance between roller 100 and edges 47 of plates 46remains substantially constant as pole guide 84 pivots on pins 38. Ahydraulic cylinder 101 is pivotally connected at one ofits ends tomiddle beam 30 (FIG. 2) and at the other of its ends to the extremeupper end of pole guide bracket 78 so that expansion and retraction ofcylinder 101 will swing bracket 78 about pins 38.

For the pole-setting operation, upper beam 40 is moved to its retractedposition. Cable 74 is looped around the pole at its center of balance.Reel 76 is actuated to cause cable 74 to lift the pole while the workmensteady it. As the pole is lifted, the

workmen tilt it to a vertical position about the fulcrum designated atpoint A (FIG. 6) which is the point where cable 74 is secured to thepole. In this position sheave 44 and pole guide 84 are adjacent theupper end of the pole, and pole guide 84 is positioned so that tongs 88are approximately horizontal. The pole abuts against roller and isloosely embraced by tongs 88, but its weight is borne substantially bycable 74. Pole guide 84 keeps the pole in a vertical position while thecable raises or lowers the pole. As the pole is raised or lowered itrolls against roller 100.

In order for the pole to be held in a vertical position it is necessaryfor roller 100 to be in vertical alignment with point A. In absence ofthis alignment the pole will tilt. The weight of the pole causes cable74 to tend to remain vertical, thereby causing point A to be locateddirectly below the leading edge of sheave 44. Roller 100 is positionedon pole guide 84 so that it is held in vertical alignment above theleading edge of sheave 44 whenever tongs 88 of pole guide 84 arehorizontally disposed. As long as tongs 88 are horizontally disposed,roller 100 will be held directly above the leading edge of sheave 44even though the angular disposition of beam assembly 16 may vary. Thisis true because pole guide 84 and roller 100 swing about an axisapproximately coincident with the center of curvature of edges 47. Thus,movement of tongs 88 to their horizontal position causes roller 100 tobe vertically aligned above the leading edge of sheave 44 andconsequently above point A. This vertical alignment causes the pole tobe held in a substantially vertical position.

If an occasion arises where it is advantageous to use the sheaveindependently of the pole guide, pole guide 84 is swung to its upperposition (FIG. 2), thereby permitting the extension of upper beam 40 andsheave 44.

The hydraulic conduits for connection with auger 54 are provided by twotelescoped conduits 102, 104, mounted on the top of lower beam 18.Conduit 104 is rigidly secured to collar guide 60 so that it will extendand retract in unison with collar guide 60 and auger 54. Hydraulic lines105 connect the end ofconduit 104 with auger 54.

The system for delivering hydraulic fluid to pole guide 84 includes acase 106 rigidly secured to the lateral side of lower beam 18, and anextensible slide 108 telescopically mounted in case 106. Referring toFIG. 5, slide 108 is U-shaped in cross section and includes a pluralityof hydraulic connections 110 at one of its ends. Extending within slide108 from hydraulic connections 110 are four hydraulic lines 112 whichare doubled over once and which are connected to a multiline conduit 114extending through case 106. When slide 108 is in its retracted positionwithin case 106, hydraulic lines 112 are folded over as illustrated inFIG. 5. Extension of slide 108 from case 106 causes hydraulic lines 112to unfold. A bracket 116 rigidly connects slide 108 to middle beam 30 sothat extension of middle beam 30 from lower beam 18 causes extension ofslide 108 from case 106. Leading from hydraulic connections 110 in slide108 are four additional hydraulic lines 118 (FIG. 4) which are inconnection with cylinders 94, 101. A holddown bracket 120 is providedwithin slide 108 to hold hydraulic lines 112 in position so that they donot become entangled, and likewise another holding bracket 122 isprovided on the upper end of middle beam 30 to prevent the entanglementof hydraulic lines 118.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

Iclaim:

1. In combination first and second beams having inner and outer ends,said beams telescopically mounted with respect to one another, firstwork means including a pole guide mounted on the outer end of one ofsaid beams, said pole guide including members adapted to embrace a pole,second work means including a sheave mounted on the outer end of theother said beam, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein the outer ends of said first and second beams areadjacent to an extended limit position wherein said outer ends arespaced, the spacing between said outer ends substantially correspondingto the spacing between said work means;

2. The combination of claim ll wherein said pole guide is mounted tosaid first beam.

3. The combination of claim ll wherein said pole guide is movablymounted to said first beam.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein third work means includingdrilling auger means are mounted on one of said beams.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said drilling auger means arepivotally mounted on said one of said beams for rotational movementthereon.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said drilling auger means includesa mounting portion on said one of said beams and an auger portionpivotally secured to said mounting portion such that said auger ispivotally movable toward and away from said one of said beams.

7. In combination first and second beams telescopically mounted withrespect to one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beamadjacent its upper end, said pole guide including members adapted toloosely embrace a pole, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein its upper end is adjacent said pole guide to anextended position wherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide,said pole guide being movably mounted to said first beam, and whereinsaid pole guide is movable to a position wherein it blocks the extensionof said second beam when aid second beam is in its retracted position.

8. in combination first and second beams telescopically mounted withrespect to one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beamadjacent its upper end, said pole guide including members adapted toloosely embrace a pole, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein its upper end is adjacent said pole guide to anextended position wherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide,and wherein a rotatable member is mounted on said second beam and saidpole guide is pivotally mounted on said first beam, the pivotal axes ofsaid rotatable member and said pole guide coinciding approximately whensaid second beam is in its retracted position.

9. in combination first and second beams telescopically mounted withrespect to one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beamadjacent its upper end, said pole guide including members adapted toloosely embrace a pole, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein its upper end is adjacent said pole guide to anextended position wherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide,and wherein a member having an arcuate surface is mounted on said upperend of said second beam, said pole guide being pivotally mounted about apivotal axis which coincides approximately with the center of a circledefined by said arcuate surface when said second beam is in itsretracted position.

110. ln combination first and second beams telescopically mounted withrespect to one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beamadjacent its upper end, said pole guide including members adapted toloosely embrace a pole, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein its upper end is adjacent said pole guide to anextended position wherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide,and wherein said pole guide is mounted on two ears extending beyond theupper end of said first beam, said ears facing the lateral sides of theupper end of said second beam when said second beam is in its retractedposition.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said pole guide is rigidlyattached to a bracket and said bracket is pivotally connected to saidears.

12. In combination a fixed beam; an extension member adapted toextendfrom said fixed beam; a pullout extension adapted to extend fromsaid extension member; and a pole guide mounted on said extension memberand including movable members adapted to looseli embrace a pole.

13. The combination of claim ll wlherem hydraulic liners run from saidfixed beam to said pole guide, retention means being provided forsupporting said hydraulic lines, said retention means including amovable member secured to said extension member and a stationary memberrigidly mounted to said fixed beam.

114. The combination of claim l3 wherein said movable member and saidstationary member are telescopically mounted with respect to oneanother.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein a sheave having a cable passingthereover is mounted on the upper end of said pullout extension, saidcable extending over said sheave and having a vertically disposedportion extending downward therefrom; said pole guide being movablymounted on said extension for swinging movement about said sheave whensaid pullout extension is in its retracted position; said pole guideincluding a roller, the relative position of said roller and saidmovable members being such that said roller is aligned above saidvertically disposed portion of said cable whenever said movable membersare horizontally disposed.

1. In combination first and second beams having inner and outer ends,said beams telescopically mounted with respect to one another, firstwork means including a pole guide mounted on the outer end of one ofsaid beams, said pole guide including members adapted to embrace a pole,second work means including a sheave mounted on the outer end of theother said beam, said second beam being movable from a retractedposition wherein the outer ends of said first and second beams areadjacent to an extended limit position wherein said outer ends arespaced, the spacing between said outer ends substantially correspondingto the spacing between said work means.
 2. The combination of claim 1wherein said pole guide is mounted to said first beam.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said pole guide is movably mounted tosaid first beam.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein third work meansincluding drilling auger means are mounted on one of said beams.
 5. Thecombination of claim 4 wherein said drilling auger means are pivotallymounted on said one of said beams for rotational movement thereon. 6.The combination of claim 4 wherein said drilling auger means includes amounting portion on said one of said beams and an auger portionpivotally secured to said mounting portion such that said auger ispivotally movable toward and away from said one of said beams.
 7. Incombination first and second beams telescopically mounted with respectto one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beam adjacent itsupper end, said pole guide including members adapted to loosely embracea pole, said second beam being movable from a retracted position whereinits upper end is adjacent said pole guide to an extended positionwherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide, said pole guidebeing movably mounted to said first beam, and wherein said pole guide ismovable to a position wherein it blocks the extension of said secondbeam when aid second beam is in its retracted position.
 8. Incombination first and second beams telescopically mounted with respectto one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beam adjacent itsupper end, said pole guide including members adapted to loosely embracea pole, said second beam being movable from a retracted position whereinits upper end is adjacent said pole guide to an extended positionwherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide, and wherein arotatable member is mounted on said second beam and said pole guide ispivotally mounted on said first beam, the pivotal axes of said rotatablemember and said pole guide coinciding approximately when said secondbeam is in its retracted position.
 9. In Combination first and secondbeams telescopically mounted with respect to one another and a poleguide mounted on said first beam adjacent its upper end, said pole guideincluding members adapted to loosely embrace a pole, said second beambeing movable from a retracted position wherein its upper end isadjacent said pole guide to an extended position wherein its upper endis spaced from said pole guide, and wherein a member having an arcuatesurface is mounted on said upper end of said second beam, said poleguide being pivotally mounted about a pivotal axis which coincidesapproximately with the center of a circle defined by said arcuatesurface when said second beam is in its retracted position.
 10. Incombination first and second beams telescopically mounted with respectto one another and a pole guide mounted on said first beam adjacent itsupper end, said pole guide including members adapted to loosely embracea pole, said second beam being movable from a retracted position whereinits upper end is adjacent said pole guide to an extended positionwherein its upper end is spaced from said pole guide, and wherein saidpole guide is mounted on two ears extending beyond the upper end of saidfirst beam, said ears facing the lateral sides of the upper end of saidsecond beam when said second beam is in its retracted position.
 11. Thecombination of claim 10 wherein said pole guide is rigidly attached to abracket and said bracket is pivotally connected to said ears.
 12. Incombination a fixed beam; an extension member adapted to extend fromsaid fixed beam; a pullout extension adapted to extend from saidextension member; and a pole guide mounted on said extension member andincluding movable members adapted to loosely embrace a pole.
 13. Thecombination of claim 12 wherein hydraulic liners run from said fixedbeam to said pole guide, retention means being provided for supportingsaid hydraulic lines, said retention means including a movable membersecured to said extension member and a stationary member rigidly mountedto said fixed beam.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said movablemember and said stationary member are telescopically mounted withrespect to one another.
 15. The combination of claim 12 wherein a sheavehaving a cable passing thereover is mounted on the upper end of saidpullout extension, said cable extending over said sheave and having avertically disposed portion extending downward therefrom; said poleguide being movably mounted on said extension for swinging movementabout said sheave when said pullout extension is in its retractedposition; said pole guide including a roller, the relative position ofsaid roller and said movable members being such that said roller isaligned above said vertically disposed portion of said cable wheneversaid movable members are horizontally disposed.